NFF’s N6 Billion Adidas Deal Enough To Hire, Pay Eagles, Falcons World Class Coaches - Gusau Reveals

NFF’s N6 Billion Adidas Deal Enough To Hire, Pay Eagles, Falcons World Class Coaches - Gusau Reveals 

By Niyi Busari

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will begin a new technical sponsorship agreement with Adidas in September 2026, with the partnership expected to generate an estimated $4.5 million in annual cash payments for the federation, former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau has revealed, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

Speaking at the press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Gusau disclosed details of the agreement, saying Adidas will also provide kits worth $2 million annually as part of the package.

According to Gusau, the overall package, which includes the cash component, kit supplies and royalties from merchandise sales, represents a significant improvement on the NFF's previous arrangement with Nike.

“We have to seek the permission of Nike even before we talked to Adidas. They gave us the go-ahead because of our past relationship,” Gusau said.

He explained that Nike retained the right to review the quality of products proposed by a new technical partner because of the existing contractual relationship between the sportswear company and the NFF.

“We were able to get a good response from Adidas, and secondly, Nike has the right to check the quality of whatever any company is bringing,” he added.

Deal to Commence in September

Gusau said the NFF had originally planned to formally announce the agreement in September, but decided to disclose details of the deal after the contract had been duly executed.

“This announcement is supposed to come in September, but today I have to say it because the contract has been duly signed and it is going to be a great turnover for Nigerian football,” he said.

Under the agreement, Adidas will pay the NFF $4.5 million in cash annually and supply approximately $2 million worth of kits each year for Nigeria's national teams.

The former NFF president also disclosed that the agreement contains a royalty component linked to Adidas' retail sales in Nigeria.

NFF to Benefit From Merchandise Sales

Gusau said Adidas' wider retail presence in Nigeria could provide an additional revenue stream for the federation.

While Nike currently has only one shop in Nigeria, according to Gusau, Adidas operates about 13 outlets and has committed to expanding its retail network to approximately 32 shops within two years.

The NFF, he said, will receive 20 per cent of sales generated under the arrangement.

“This is apart from the royalties. Nike has only one shop in Nigeria, but Adidas has about 13 shops and has promised to increase it to about 32 shops in two years,” Gusau said.

“NFF will have 20 per cent of the sales they make.”

Gusau: Deal Can Fund High-Profile Coaches

Gusau believes the financial returns from the Adidas partnership could significantly strengthen the NFF's ability to recruit and retain high-profile coaches for the country's senior national teams.

He argued that the revenue generated from the agreement could help the federation meet the salaries of coaches of both the Super Eagles and Super Falcons without placing excessive pressure on its other sources of funding.

“With this, the issue of paying the Super Eagles and Super Falcons coaches can be taken care of from this Adidas deal,” Gusau said.

“This money will be enough for the NFF to hire a high-profile coach for the Super Eagles and Super Falcons and pay them handsomely.”

The agreement is expected to provide the NFF with greater commercial leverage while also improving the availability of official kits for Nigeria's various national teams.

Gusau's disclosure comes amid the NFF's efforts to secure stronger commercial partnerships capable of matching the growing financial demands of managing Nigeria's national teams and international football programmes.